MACHINE IN SWAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 12

MACHINE IN SWAMP.

INSPECTION OF DAMAGE.

WINGS AND PROPELLER.

CLOCK STILL TICKING. RAIDS BY SOUVENIR HUNTERS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HOKITIKA. Thursday. Lonely and half dismantled the Southern flroas Junior, in which Mr. Menzics flew the Tasman Sea, still stands in T.a Fontaino marsh, a deserted area about seven miles by road from Harihari. Standing knee-deep in the bog a crowd of about 50 men, women and children watched the aviator inspect his machine. Catching in the bog where ho landed the aeroplane was turned completely upside clown, tho engino being under water and the tail high in the air. On the bottom of tho fuselage now turned toward the sky hangs a great pieco of weed, while the wings are lying in the mud badly warped.

It is at present impossible to sec how tho machine can bo moved without being completely dismantled. It lies about a mile and a-halt from the nearest roadway and half of that distance is oyer thick, deep bog. Heavy rain has iucreased the difficulty of tho salvage. Mr. Menzies worked all the afternoon on tho preliminaries of unshipping tho wings, but the machine will probably not be moved until Saturday. In that casp the airman's visit to Christchurch wil' be postponed for a day or two It is easy to understand how the aviator mistook his landing place for dry land, for from a distaneo the marsh appear* perfectly flat and well drained, yet so boggy is the ground that tho onlookers sank into it up to their knees. Tho machine itself is in a miniature lake. Apart from tho damage to the wings and the propeller blades, which are completely missing, the aeroplane appears in fairly good condition. Ihe instrument, board is intact and tho clock is still ticking. A few of the controls aro bent and the engine cylinders aro already rusted. Lying inside tho cockpit was one of the sandwiches which, with fruit and cold water, formed Mr. «Menzies' provision stocks for tho trip. Taking off his shoes and socks the nirman tramped to his machine. Ho seemed very inucli concerned about its condition He was followed by many spectators and a battalion of photographers, for whom he patiently posed bofore the aeroplano. He then went earnestly to work to slit the fabric of tho wings, handing the pieces clown to the crowd as souvenirs lie lias incidentally beon very much disturbed by the souvenir hunters, who have taken not merely every detachable thing from the machine, including the spark plug's and magnetos, but a set of valuable books as well.

Tho neighbouring farmers havo given every assistance and special gear for the salvage has been offered from tho Hokitika dredge.

FREEING THE AEROPLANE.

RAFT MAY BE USED.

MECHANICS FROM SOCKBURN.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.]

HOKITIKA, Thursday.

On his return from an inspection of the Southern Cross Junior this evening Mr. Menzies stated definitely that there was nothing essentially wrong with the aeroplane. The only serious damage, lie said, had been done to one wing, ono intorplane strut, the fin, and the propeller. Thero would be little difficulty in making the repairs'and ho expected that tho Wigrain aerodrome would be able to leplace the propeller. "We don't expect to get the machine off until Saturday night," continued Mr Menzies. "Work to-day. was hindered not only by tho swamp and tho rain, but also because all the tools, together with detachable parts of the engine, have been taken as souvenirs. We could not get tho wings off without tools and now it is doubtful whether the machine can be freed beforo Saturday nighty Wo expect to float her off on a raft." Mr. Menzies may still leave Hokitika to-morrow. He has been advised that two mechanics aro coming from Wigram and that the aero club is sending an aeroplane to Springfield for his use. When the mechanics arrive, probably to-morrow, ho will give tho machine into their hands and leave tor Springfield. He hopes to make his tour of Now Zealand in his own aeroplane but if repairs take too long ho may be forced to visit the southern centres In another. He emphasised that the only inconvenience was that the wings of the Southern Cross Junior would have to bo taken off on tho _ landing ground instead of just before shipping.

BAD LANDING GROUND.

FITTING NEW PROPELLER. MAY PRESENT A PROBLEM. [ilY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CIIRfSTCIIUKCH. Thursday. "It is very doubtful if Mr. Menzies could have concluded the flight anywhere else in Now Zealand where it would bo so hard to find a landing place which promised a reasonable degree of safety, ' said Squadron-Leader J. L. 1' indlay, officer in charge of the Wigram aerodrome. "Thero would be a chance of effecting a landing at Okarito on the flats by tho seashore, but that would be possible only if the tides were favourable and the surface remained firm throughout tho rains, lhat is extremely doubtful As far as we are concerned ho could not havo chosen a worse place, and there is no chance of getting him into tho air again over there even if repairs could have been effected. "It is a little difficult to see how long the repairing of the machine will take once the aeroplane has reached Wigram. I expect it will bo repaired within a fewdays. There is a proviso, however, and that is that wo have a propeller in New Zealand that will fit the Southern Cross Junior. It has a Gipsy 11. engine, but our machines fitted with tho same make of engine are the Gipsy I. class. Whether the propellers i" stock will bo suitable remains to ho soon.

MYSTERY AS TO AGE.

"THE NEAREST GUESS."

[|i y TEI.EGRA I'll. —OWN ("OKI! ESPONDENT. ] ITOKITIKA, Thursday. Mr. Guv Menzies is apparently hot disposed to dispel the mystery as to his age. Speaking last night lie said his age was "about 7)2." There was no doubt about this being what l:e fluid. Sydney messages say he is 21. When asked to-day which age was correct, Mr. Men/.ies said 21 was "the near, est guess." Mr. Men/.ies has evidently enjoyed the wide, interest evinced in the question and in reply to a further query to-night he s;vid he had "just turned 22 years." A lady in Oliristchurch who has known Mr. Men/.ies and his family for many years declares Mr. Menzies must be at least 30. His age is not revealed by his appearance. Il<- js slim, athletic, good looking, with dark hair and a sparse durk moustache, lie looks rather more, than 21, but might, be in his early twenties. On the hand, lie might be 50.